Michel Poiccard insists on having it all. On the one hand, the Death Set want this sophomore record to extend the spazzy, mega-hyper, electronic-effects-laced party-punk on which the Australian-born/US-based band founded their rep. At the same time, this is their first LP since co-founder and co-singer/guitarist Beau Velasco's abrupt death in December 2009, and avoiding the aftershocks of his loss would be both insensitive and artistically shortsighted. So the Death Set essay a Jekyll/Hyde routine of dramatic contrasts, pitting lightning-fried guitars, unpredictable computerized effects, and goofy bullshit against mellow hooks and relative subtlety. That first approach dominates, allowing them to channel an amusing roster of reference points: Beastie Boys, Le Tigre, the White Stripes, Sum 41, Contra, Sonic the Hedgehog, and the snottiest skate-punk band you can imagine. Johnny Siera, now taking on sole vocal duties, is the make-or-break question mark, alternating between competent shouts and the shrieks of an annoying little kid having a tantrum. He's far more reliable when things calm down; both he and the band make good on autumnal tracks "I Miss You Beau Velasco" and "Is It the End Again?" As traumatizing as Velasco's death must have been, it's impelled the group to flesh out interesting new hues.

Burzum | Fallen Illegible as they are ubiquitous (anywhere a patch meets denim or a bored headbanger's head meets a study-hall desk), metal logos are the ultimate example of form over function.

Lifeguards | Waving at the Astronauts Hey, it's another Robert Pollard record. Today must be a day. We can't even joke about how prolific this guy is because we've heard 'em all a million billion times already.

First Debate for 2012? While the national political media was distracted this week by a non-newsworthy semi-declaration of intent from Newt Gingrich, I was chasing down a more significant development: a rapidly escalating feud between two actual declared candidates for US president.

Mogwai | Hardcore Will Never Die But You Will There's a fine line in the post-punk instrumental world between mind-blowing musical ecstasy and, uh, whatever is playing underneath the guy who says, "Well, there's an app for that."

New York Dolls | Dancing Backwards in High Heels The new New York Dolls have now been around longer - and released more albums (three) - than the old New York Dolls, and they're commemorating that new longevity by letting go of any compulsion they may have still harbored to honor their designation as "punk-rock progenitors."

The Rural Alberta Advantage | Departing On their debut, Hometowns, Toronto's Rural Alberta Advantage sounded like a band in search of an identity. It was a bit of a mess, but there were moments when they seemed to be onto something. So surely the improved focus on Departing must be to their benefit, no?

NO REST FOR BLACKBIRD BLACKBIRD | March 13, 2013 Blackbird Blackbird's 2012 EP Boracay Planet takes its name from two sources: Boracay — a beach-filled, postcard-perfect island in the Philippines — and a dream Mikey Maramag had about the tourist trap, despite never having visited.

THE LUMINEERS AIM FOR THE RAFTERS | February 01, 2013 Jeremiah Fraites isn't famous — at least not yet. The drummer of the Lumineers, the folk trio who experienced an outrageously fruitful 2012, is talking to me two days before appearing on the January 19 Saturday Night Live, but he doesn't sound convinced that his band have crossed the fame threshold.

PHANTOM GLUE COME INTO FOCUS | January 23, 2013 Variations of "nightmarish" and "psychedelic" come up repeatedly as Matt Oates describes his band's work — which makes sense, given that Phantom Glue trace their roots back to Slayer, the Jesus Lizard, and cult post-hardcore act KARP.